Home Depot still probing possible data breach, CEO says

By Anne D'Innocenzio Associated Press

Posted:
09/04/2014 10:05:14 AM PDT

Updated:
09/04/2014 10:05:15 AM PDT

NEW YORK -- Home Depot's outgoing CEO Frank Blake told investors Thursday that the nation's largest home-improvement chain continues to investigate a potential breach at the company and reassured that customers will not be liable for any potential fraudulent charges.

In his first public comments about the issue, Blake didn't confirm that a breach actually happened but said that Home Depot found out about the possible data theft early Tuesday.

He told investors during an address at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference on Thursday that companies in this situation have a choice: to wait or "communicate the facts as you know them."

Blake told investors that Home Depot will activate chip-enabled checkout terminals at all of its stores by the end of the year. That technology helps makes transactions more secure.